1998 Mazda 323 V6 ZXi from UK and Ireland - Comments

Boot pistons failed and it takes about four months for parts to come from Japan. Paint chips very, VERY easily, so tough if you have colour coded bumpers.

There are a number of funny noises coming from different places and the dealer hasn't a clue about what they are.

The engine has been designed to be stupidly docile up to 4000 odd revs and goes stupid above this. So you cannot really drive properly.

The engine has been designed very badly indeed. For a V6 it revs hideously and breaths even worse. After reving, take your foot right off and wait a couple of hours for the revs to come down.

The gearbox is very badly matched to the engine. Fourth gear isn't needed, I just go from three to five. Then at motorway speeds the revs are well into the four thousands. Drink that petrol why don't you.

On the plus side it does handle well, but that is solely down to lack of suspension, so you feel every micronic atom you drive over.

My Zxi has had none of the problems you have found. It sounds like you've just been very unlucky.

Why are you needing parts for the engine? Have you revved the guts out of it and destroyed the engine?

The reason the engine is limited under 4000 RPM is that the power the engine produces is so awesome that you'd just be wheel spinning if you floored it. If you think about it, the way the power climbs so dramatically after 4000 RPM is like having a turbo.

I think you should maybe meet someone else with a similar car and have a look at the quality of their car.

I personally have found my car to be wonderful and would buy another one again if they still made them.

I agree with the second guy. My V6 323 is awesome. The fact that it doesn't boot until 4000 revs is the only thing that stops it wheel spinning everywhere.

I love this car!!!

I bought a V6 323 for my wife as a surprise birthday presant. thinking it waS TAME ENOUGH FOR HER, big mistake, she scared me the first time she drove it and now I've given up my ford mondeo and drive her car now; (wow good fun or what)

I wrote the original report.

The ZXi I owned until recently, was in good condition with full dealer service history. There are just some laughable design flaws.

I have not had to replace anything with the engine. It was the BOOT pistons that needed replacing. Other end of the car sir!

Quite frankly, anyone that has driven a V6 Alfa will laugh hysterically at the Mazda 2.0 V6. It is just not sporty. The return is absurbly slow. The throttle response is lamentable. The gear ratios don't match the engine. The suspension is so hard. The steering is too light at speed as Mazda saved money and didn't go for variable assisted. The headlights, even upgraded, are a joke.

It is a well constructed car, but has design flaws aplenty.

Actually, I disagree. The Mazda V6 2.0 and 2.5 engines have to be two of the best engines every produced. They are silent, very well mannered and are bomb proof- they cover over 300,000 miles if looked after. A Mazda is a far superior car in every way to an Alfa, the V6 units in the 166 at least are nothing special themselves.

Well this all makes it very confusing for me. I am considering buying a ZXI because I am so pleased with my 1.5 LXI, but now I am not sure what to expect. Is it going to be reliable, expensive to run, is it going to be hard work to drive if it has a peaky engine. Can anyone give me any answers?

It will be completely reliable, but a fair bit thirstier than the 1.5, however it is well worth it listening to the purr of the V6.

Sounds fair.

I bought a ZXI in January after falling in love with the car last year. Never dreamed I would be able to get a ZXI, but it was affordable in the end. I got the car on 78,000 miles and to be fair I need to have a few nasty problems sorted. the car is a lot of fun, it is tame before 4000rev, but rarey after. I find mine, when put to the floor reaches 36 in first, 62 second, 85 third and around 115 fourth, never teseted top speed due to problem with front driveshafts shaking away. and I average 230 miles to £40 of fuel.. quite bad, but worth it in my opinion. parts are expensive, but raely needed, ride is fantastic, sticks to the road. very comfortable seats, you could literally die for hours and get out fine. not like my old escort. lol. a fun car which although mine has given me fury, its worth more to me to spend the money on getting this beast back on form. Remember with ALL cars, there are good and bad examples of every car, that's where you have to make sure when you are buying that you are getting a good car in good condition, highly recommend AA inspection or something, if I had had it done, I would probably of never bought the one I did. but I did and I certainly don't regret it. I beleive this car would give a 2.5v6 alpha a run for its money like my friends rover 416, with the honda vtec 1.6 gti did. hope this gives a good all round opinion on the car.

I've had (well my wife has had) a 2.0 v6 ZXi for 5 years. It's a 1998 model and is a fantastic car to drive. I have a BMW 740i (4.5litre monster) but I love getting into the Mazda to blast around the countryside. It's had a few dings and scrapes over the years, but has been regularly serviced and the internals, engine, brakes and handling are superb. It's a point and shoot car. The petrol consumption doesn't seem too bad, but I'm used to 20-25 MPG with the BMW.

The engine responds in a very similar way to the old Honda civic - you need to rev it to get the response. And I can confirm the rev limiter kicks in a little over 125mph.

If you are buying one of these, make sure it's got a good service history as replacement parts are expensive - although many second hand parts from lesser 323's are available.

We're now in discussions with a specialist car conversion company in the South West of England to turn the little beast into a cabriolet.

I have had my ZXi for 4 years now and it has done over 130,000 miles. I am still happy with it although at this stage in it's life little things are starting to go wrong. The brake calipers on the rear have needed replacing as the hand brake has failed. (through no fault of my own) the electric aerial has stopped working and the bushes on the anti roll bar are worn. However considering the mileage the car has done none of these problems concern me overly. It has been a great car that has taken me a long way and I've never had to worry about it breaking down. (Touch wood) I'm planning on selling in the next year only because I want to move up to a faster car.

If you want the Mazda 323F ZXI to take off like a rocket just shove it in first gear, take your revs up to just over 4000, let the clutch up sharpish... and prepare to get glued to the back of your seat...awsome...although you do have to shift into second a bit quick to avoid red lining it!

(6500-7000 revs)...Have fun, and look out for the next gas station...lol.

Like the guy above says. Drop into first, rev to around 4000rpm and release that clutch...See...ya!

70mph @ approx 3500rpm

127mph @ approx 5800rpm.

Engine complains at around 7200rpm (just into the red)

..and keep an eye out for those petrol stations.

Just purchased a Mazda 323 V6 1998 and love it. Owned a 276bhp Impreza WRX before which I only used 3 times before I got fed up with the whoooosh and the way all the power is delivered in one almighty neck breaking explosion! It had to go. Wife said I looked silly driving it besides being forty something and she's always right! Mazda is more me and I love the unique looks, build quality and performance. Wife owns a 1.5 1996 323 which has never let her and provides a cheap and stylish motor for low expense.

Hi read all your comments a few weeks ago, and was so impressed by the performance described I went and bought one! and yes its as good as I hoped, and in some cases even better, where have I been without it for so long??? I love it!! no one said it could go near 140mph tho! gotta be worth mentioning!:) thanks for introducing it to me!!!